Generations of football fandom given a new voice in library exhibition

On loan from the British Library’s collection, Foul was originally produced by students at Cambridge University in October, 1972, with 34 issues subsequently published between 1972 and 1976.

Researchers scouring through archives, libraries and loans from members of the public have also discovered a copy of The Shamrock, made by fans of Celtic in Scotland, which researchers believe is the oldest fanzine they have traced.

On loan from the National Library of Scotland, it was produced by the Edinburgh-based Shamrock Supporters Club in the early 1960s, and was sold on match days by volunteers along the approaches to Celtic Park.

These early examples are among a huge range of grassroots, self-published zines on display tracing the evolution of fan-led media right through to modern, multimedia content.

Other aspects of fan culture including badges, banners, scarfs and even recordings of terrace chants from the British Library Sound Archive also form part of the exhibition.

And fresh off a parade earlier this week, which saw thousands of Leeds United fans gather to celebrate the club’s triumphant return to the Premier League, the exhibition also features some of their most important and enduring zines.

Editions of The Square Ball, featuring Elland Road idols including Gordon Strachan and Lucas Radebe, and Marching Altogether, founded by Leeds United fans to campaign against racism in football, are among the exhibits on display.

And with Bradford City also securing promotion to League One last weekend fans will be able to see copies of The City Gent- the longest running print football zine in the country.

Antony Ramm, librarian at Leeds Central Library, said: “The longevity and sheer variety of some of these remarkable publications really demonstrates how much fan culture has been at the heart and soul of football, playing such a huge role in making the game so beloved the world over.

“The ways fans express themselves may have changed through the years, but what’s remained the same is that passion and desire which has driven supporters to find a way to make their voices heard.

“As well as being a fun way of fans communicating, self-published zines have also played an important role in holding clubs to account and driving change in the game too.

“We saw this week just how much football means to the fans, and we’re excited to be celebrating their creations and working with the British Library to bring so many different examples of supporters’ voices together.”

The exhibition will also feature more influential publications from the British Library’s collection including The End and other Yorkshire zines such as Y-Front, Just Another Wednesday and Smile Awhile.

Laurence Byrne, lead curator, Latin American and Caribbean collections at the British Library, said: “It’s been a pleasure to be involved with Voice of the Fans, an exhibition the British Library has co-produced with Leeds Libraries. This special exhibition features a number of loans from the Library’s collection of zines, created by football fans from the 1970s onwards, including Foul, widely regarded as the first football fanzine.

“As historical documents fanzines are invaluable, reflecting contemporary politics and changing social values while representing the incredible creativity and ingenuity of fans. I hope that researchers and the public will continue to be inspired by them.”

Kenn Taylor, lead culture producer north at the British Library, said: “We are thrilled to be co-producing Voice of the Fans with Leeds Libraries. We’ve long had a presence in Leeds through working with local partners to deliver inspiring exhibitions and also more widely in West Yorkshire, with over 70 per cent of our collection being cared for in Boston Spa, near Wetherby.

"This collaboration with Leeds Libraries is part of the British Library’s wider commitment to the region, working closely with the local community in Leeds and opening up our collection for everyone.”

Voice of the Fans is open from May 9 until August 10 at Leeds Central Library and is free to visit.

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “This week has been a huge moment for football in Leeds and a time when we’ve seen in spectacular style just how much love for the game there is in the city.

“We’re thrilled to be showcasing how much football has meant to fans through the years and to be celebrating the unique place the beautiful game has in the hearts of supporters.”

More information about Voice of the Fans can be found at: Voice of the Fans exhibition | Leeds Library

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